Margaret Truesdale

February 8, 1946-September 11, 2023

Margaret was born in Brazil, Indiana to Gilbert & Eurtice Staley, who predeceased her. She had one sibling - a sister, Alice Hedstrom still living in Indianapolis. She is survived by husband- Carl Truesdale, son- Thomas Truesdale (Ines), daughters Marie Metzler (Rod), Carla Stornetta (Nathan), and six grandchildren: Luke(16), TJ(14), Noah(14), Joe(12), Mark(11), Leah(11).

Margaret graduated from Shortridge High School, attended Carroll University in Wisconsin where she met her husband. They were married in 1964 in Indianapolis, at North United Methodist Church. She graduated from University of Indianapolis. She was employed at Methodist Hospital where she worked as a Medical Technologist in the chemistry lab for 43 years before retiring. During that time, she successfully raised 3 wonderful children. Following the career she was challenged at and proud of at the lab, she loved her next career-Full Time Grammy! She spent all her retirement caring for, playing with, going to events for, vacationing with and being a part of the lives of her 6 beloved grandchildren.

Margaret was an avid bird watcher and outdoor enthusiast. This pursuit started in Clay County on her family property and developed throughout her adult life. She developed her skills as a hiker to pursue her love of bird watching and became very knowledgeable through nature center hikes, reading, study, attending festivals and birding trips. She enjoyed birding trips to Indiana Dunes, Southern Indiana, Texas, Florida(many times), California, Arizona (several times), North Carolina and South Carolina to name a few. Her dream trip was in 2016- Costa Rica! 10 days hiking and bird watching in the rain forests! Her life list of birds grew to nearly 500 which she carefully documented and treasured.

She became a talented gardener as well, developing her yards into havens for a wide variety of birds, huge numbers of hummingbirds, ducks on the lake and butterflies. The back porch was a favorite spot for watching hummingbirds, Baltimore Orioles and ducks and she loved inviting others to visit, enjoy and learn about these special pursuits. She was especially proud that all of her grandchildren could identify a variety of birds, and took part in this passion with her on many occasions.

She also loved waterskiing. She still skied into her sixties, loving that she could show her children and grandchildren! She enjoyed many days at various lakes swimming, floating, splashing with the grandkids and riding in the boats watching the skiers.

Margaret was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg as well as North United Methodist Church and Gobin United Methodist earlier in her life. She always especially loved church music, organs, choirs and hymns. She took great pride her in success at raising all three children who practice as Christians and live life to love and honor God. She loved telling people that all 6 of her grandkids have Biblical first names!

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday September 19, 2023. The service will be led by Reverend Michelle Knight at Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to The Calvary Learning Academy (575 W Northfield Drive Brownsburg, IN) and/or The Hummingbird Society (6560 State Route 179, Suite179, Sedona AZ 86351).